Israel Press - Up to date Israel news

Attack thwarted in Eilat hotel

Prosecutors filed indictments with the Be'er Sheva District Court on Thursday against two Arabs originally frm Jerusalem accused of planning a bomb attack on a hotel in Eilat.

The pair, identified as Halil Nimri and Ashraf Salaima, had been residing and working in Eilat for several years when they plotted to plant explosives inside one of the southern resort's many hotels.

The attack was apparently foiled thanks to the vigilance of the hotel staff who reported the suspicious-looking men to management, who in turn called in security forces.

The terrorists have been charged with conspiracy to commit an offense to aid the enemy in wartime.

According to the indictment, Nimri and Salaima met while working at a hotel in Eilat. Two months ago the pair got together and decided to attack Jews out of a desire to take revenge on Israel for the elimination of terrorists in the current terror wave.

More specifically, one wanted to avenge the death of his childhood friend, who was killed carrying out a stabbing attack in Jerusalem.

Nimri suggested the two conduct a stabbing attack and kill a religious Jew, but Salaima objected on the grounds they would likely be caught and their action would thus carry no meaning. He then proposed planting a bomb in a hotel in Eilat, to which Nimri agreed.